are my prices too low?

[FeartheDeere]

Hello,

I run a small part time lawn biz and I had 7 all-season accounts this year. I feel that I'm getting paid too low on my jobs, but am not sure. I know maybe I should spend some bucks on Mr. Nilsson's yard estimator there, but I don't like the whole buying on the net deal.

yard 1- approx. 3 acres (many trees)+occasional trimming+10-15 min. of push mowing, but the owner will help me out sometimes there and push it off before I arrive - all this though for $50?

yard 2- 2 acres, a creek, many trees, trim when needed - $55

yard 3- 3 acres, a creek that needs to be trimmed, fence that needs trimming all around back yard + 10 min. of push mowing + 5 min of blowing + 10 min. of extra timming usually needed - (they're picky!)
ALL THIS FOR $75?

yard 4- 1/4 acre- front likes to be pushed off(15 min.) + 20 min. of riding + a few seconds of trimming.-- FOR $20

yard 5- 1.5 acres- trim 1 time every month, not picky-- $25 a shot

yard 6- 1.75 acres- she roundups everywhere so no trimming--$30

yard 7- 3.5 acres- not picky!--mow, trim, blow, and go--$45

I run premium equipment and have no employees if that helps.

Thanks for your time,
Kevro's Mean Green Cut

[Scaper-S2k]

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It sounds like your pricing isn't following any set guidelines. Seems to vary quite a bit.

Prices all seem a bit low. Just my opinion.

[cole1980]

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I agree with Scaper and you need to figure a set of guidelines for your pricing. If you are mowing 2 and 3 acre sets with lots of trees. I am thinking atleast double what you are charging now. But if you aren't trimming or edging or vary little, maybe atleast like $80 where you charge $50 and so on. But remember, you can't just up and double your prices on these you have already bid on. Gradually increase them and dont bid as low on the next. Don't be afraid to ask for money. You can't work for BEANS you know.

E.Cole

[FeartheDeere]

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thanx guys, I haven't went by any set of guidelines so far..you see I'm only a High Schooler, and I have to get these people's trust before they'll hire me...and sometimes the thing that'll make them hire me is the lowest rate. Now they know that I'm dependable and can do a good job, I believe I can raise my prices on them gradually as things go.

[Greenman]

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way too low

[qualitylandscaping]

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Fear,

I'm a sophmore in High School.. My prices are about double yours. I charge $40-$50 per acre including mow,trim, and blow. So its $10-12.50 for every 1/4 acre. And now, from the adivice I got on this forum, I don't take the mower out of the garage for less than $20.

Just FYI: I run a 48" Lesco WB, (2) 21" Toro Super Recyclers, Husquvarna Trimmers, and Sthil Blowers.

Good luck!

[Terry]

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Those prices are way low, as in pre-1985 rates.

[Dmk]

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Whats your setup like, a car, trailer, Homelite trimmer, and a Craftsman rider?

[qualitylandscaping]

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no car or trailer.. Craftsman rider with weedeater blower and trimmer, duct taped to the back, lol...

Ohh this is fun!

[FeartheDeere]

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DMK,
QUESTION WAS: what's your setup like, a car, trailer, homelite trimmer, and a craftsman ride?

if you notice my quote there, it says "Nothing Runs like a Deere" I run John Deeres- all riders (no ztr's)17,18, and 25 hp. a lawn boy push mower, all Stihl 2-strokes, and a 98 chevy silverado 1/2 ton...I think I'm well enough equipped to get premium prices, but I bargained with these people this spring and this was the highest they'd go...I was trying to get on my feet ya see...things'll change as I get bigger. I'm hoping they'll be willing for a price raise now that they can see the quality and dependability of my service.

[Greenman]

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FeartheDeere-If look like a professional, act like a professoinal, people think you're professional. Thats when you get the price you want. (I'm not saying you don't look like a pro, either)

[qualitylandscaping]

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Looks like we have a scrub on our hands. If you really do have everything you say you have, you obviously didn't pay for it with lawn mowing money. Money doesn't make the man, man makes the money.. Now if you want to keep your really nice equipment start charging more or repairs will catch up to you and youll be****outta luck.

Are you planning on staying in this biz or is it just a "money maker" for ya?

Good luck!

[FeartheDeere]

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Hey,
I believe this forum is to help each other out here and to give each other positive advice...at least that's what I'm here for. I asked for some advice and I get insults from some people. I thank those of you who were sincerely aiming to help me out. I didn't come here to argue, but to learn. Hey, I didn't know a lot of this stuff before, I just knew I liked being outside, on my machine, and enjoying the pleasure of doing a good job. True, I want to make money in the business, and I want my biz to thrive, but I'm in the biz because I love doing it. That's why I came here, to help my business to aspire to be the best it possibly can be. If you're replying to posts like mine with insults, you're not helping this site and the people on it...don't blow out your neighbor's candle to make yours shine brighter.

Thanx,
Kevro's Mean Green Cut

[cole1980]

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Hey FeartheDeere,

I tried the, I'm here for straight answers speech also. Don't work, you have to, I believe how Zack put it, learn to go with the flow. Yeah Quality was a bit insulting, but had advice in the insult, don't take it personally, his post was just so you don't look like a fool out in the real world of GREEN.

E.Cole

[qualitylandscaping]

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Fear,

I didn't try to be insulting or put you down or anything. We're both in High School, and I know most people don't think were worth "professional" prices. Thats what I thought too. But you can't be scared to say "no" to cheap jobs. The more cheap jobs you take, now, will catch up to you later, when you need work done to your mowers and other equipment. You can say whatever you want to me but if you don't start charging more, you won't be around much longer. It doesn't matter if you have the best equipment in the world, people will start laughing at you for doing the work so cheap. It sounds weird, I know, but believe me, thats the way it goes. I know how you feel "If I raise my prices, I will lose all my jobs".. In theory it might be bad, but you will save yourself bigtime in the long run. Just to put it into understandable words. It doesn't matter what kind of equipment you have or how "professional" your equipment looks. Nothing is really based around equipment... It's based upon how you present yourself, your work ethic, and your plan to succeed. If you just rely on your fancy equipment to sell your services, you'll never make it. It takes a lot of thinking and hard work to make dreams come true. Money just doesn't land in front of you, you have to work for it. Set minimum prices and don't work for less ($20 residential, $60 commercial, are what I use, NY State).

Good luck!